Child of Ashes

Seba Segel #2

by Elizabeth Hunter

She’s rewritten history for the powerful. This time, it’s personal.

Time travel fantasy. Ancient magical orders. A forbidden investigation, a hidden son, and a slow-burn connection that defies every rule this time-traveler has lived by.

Narine Anahid Khoren has spent years keeping her greatest secret, her son Samson, a fourth-tier time traveler of terrifying power, hidden from an order that would claim him as their own.

She thought she’d bought more time to shelter him. She was wrong.

When a violent ambush sends nine-year-old Samson tumbling into the past with a dangerous enemy, Narine's carefully constructed world fractures. With her son lost somewhere in history and a shadow war brewing against the Order of the Seba Segel, she has no choice but to release the one man who knows how to find her son, an enemy she thought she’d trapped in the past.

Through it all, Jacob Martin—professor, time-traveler, and so much more—is at her side. The tension between them has been building, and now with everything at stake, the threads of their partnership will either snap… or be woven into a bond that cannot be broken.

Saving Samson will mean crossing centuries, confronting secrets at the heart of the Order, and reckoning with the true cost of power, family, and revolution.

Child of Ashes is the second book in the Seba Segel Series—an epic time travel fantasy set in the near future, where ancient mage orders, dangerous magic, and a slow-burn love story collide across the centuries.

Genres: Urban Fantasy

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2026

About the author

ELIZABETH HUNTER is an eleven-time USA Today bestselling author of romance, contemporary fantasy, and paranormal mystery. Based in Central California and Addis Ababa, she travels extensively to write fantasy fiction exploring world mythologies, history, and the universal bonds of love, friendship, and family.

She has published over fifty works of fiction and sold over two million books world-wide. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries, the Irin Chronicles, the Cambio Springs Mysteries, and other works of fiction.

Reviews

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child of Ashes is the second book in Elizabeth Hunter’s Seba Segal series. Our heroine, Narine continues her quest back and forth through time determined to protect her son by any means necessary. As the story moves forward, long-held secrets are exposed, relationships are strengthened, and we get a hint of the romance to come. While time travel books can sometimes be difficult to follow, not many mainstream sci-fi fantasies feature main characters of color, including the rich elements of their culture, so this was a plus for this reader to stick with it. Definitely worth the read.

I had an opportunity to read an advanced copy of Child of Ashes .

[This Literary Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of any fictional world the Elizabeth creates. I haven’t been able to do a reread of book 1, The Thirteenth Month before I started this one and I was a little worried I might forget the various details and story but I should never have worried. Child Of Ashes brought me back into the story quite quickly and I was back in the setting she worked so hard in book one to create. Never have I read a series with a more intricate fantastical system as this one. It’s so rich and unique with the different elements of time, travel and the weight of responsibility those with this ability carry. I have praised this author many times for being a slow burn queen. You don’t find these characters jumping into bed on page 5. The burn is scrumptious!! This book’s characters has slow, deep connection that has this reader so invested! I can’t wait to see where Narine and Jacob’s journey brings them. But seriously I’m invested in Samsons journey the most! That kid is going to be such a powerhouse and I can’t wait to see it.

[Trish (Beautiful Chaos Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Elizabeth Hunter proves once again why she is a absolute titan in the fantasy romance world! Child of Ashes, the thrilling second installment in the Seba Segel series, picks up with high stakes, incredible world-building, and the kind of narrative tension that keeps you turning pages way past your bedtime.

We catch back up with Narine, a time traveler navigating the shadowy depths of the Seba Segel—an ultra-secret, centuries-old organization run by power-dynasty families blending time travelers, diviners, alchemists, and arranged marriages designed to amplify magical bloodlines. True to form after The 13th Month, Narine refuses to be just another pawn in their grand design. This time, she is keeping the ultimate secret: her infant child. She can already tell he possesses power far beyond anyone in recent history, and watching her fierce, unwavering determination to protect him at all costs gives this story such a powerful emotional heart.

Enter Jacob Martin. For those of us who live for a masterfully executed slow burn, Jacob delivers in spades. The dynamic and connection between him and Narine is pure perfection—a realistic, earned, step-by-step burn set against a backdrop of mind-bending magic, wild time travel constraints (because trying not to break the future timeline is nerve-wracking!), and relentless, high-tension action.

What I love most about Hunter’s work is her balance. At its core, this is top-tier urban fantasy with intricate lore, real consequences, and high-octane adventure. But when these fiercely capable, deeply developed characters meet their match, the romantic chemistry is irresistible.

Child of Ashes is atmospheric, gripping, and deeply satisfying. So. Much. Fun. Do yourself a favor and pick this up immediately—you won't regret it!

[Erin Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow, wow, wow.

It's been a hot minute since The Thirteenth Month came out but it did not take me long to dive head first back into the life of Narine and the Seba Segel. I was immediately invested in the storyline of Samson and all the "what ifs" and potential avenues his powers could take him in.

I love a good slow burn and my goodness does Elizabeth Hunter deliver with the chemistry between Narine and Jacob.

Overall, five stars. Love everything about this book!

[~Shawna the crazy coffee reader~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I remember when I read the first one and it really resonated with me. Book 2 was even better. Getting to know the characters more individually and seeing how they reacted to the advance. The grief that our FMC felt was so real that I was crying alongside her. I just love Sampson, he is so refreshing and such a perfect little boy. Jacob is a wonderful MMC. He is patient, kind, strong, and very supportive. I really enjoyed how he always put the well-being of Samson and Narine first before his wants. He definitely understands priorities.

The thought of time, travel and tassary moments that were always meant to be and would forever be in time was very interesting. I like the idea that we can go back, but that some things will always be inevitable. This was a wonderfully written book that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. If only I didn’t have to work for a living, I would’ve finished this much faster.

Oh, and that ending… Give me more please!

[Judith Boxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from Author.

Elizabeth Hunter is a grand mage, an alchemist herself when it comes to writing such an amazing addition to the Seba Segel series. Child of Ashes is the second book and to say it is an epic is an understatement. It is testament of ingenuity and visual imagination, definitely a test of mathematical skills as you read of events in different times and across continents. The character development is ingenious and after finishing the book my brain was whirring with the possibilities of what might happen in the final book. I loved this book so much and encourage readers to delve into this new and powerful world and travel alongside Narine, Samson, Jacob, Gideon and so many more. Definitely no spoilers so just bask in the magical waters of time, place and emotional challenges.

The characters are so powerful and their understanding of what has and will happen includes love and tragedy intermingled with and mirroring events in our real world over millennia. What also shines through is Elizabeth Hunter’s incredible knowledge, especially the links to Ethiopia and all parts of the world. In every book she has written her research and genius in how she weaves this knowledge into all her books is unparalleled in the genres she writes in. I cannot praise this book enough and it is definitely one to read again and again.

I had an opportunity to read an advanced copy of Child of Ashes.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narine is determined to find her son, Samson, after he becomes lost in the past, even if it means breaking every law governing time travel. She’s spent years keeping him hidden from the ancient order of time travellers she belongs to, knowing they would use him for their own purposes. Now, with war looming over the Order, she’ll do whatever it takes to bring him home.

It’s been several years between books, but finally the second book in Elizabeth Hunter’s Seba Segal series, is finally here….and yes, it has absolutely been worth the wait. Child of Ashes was a strong instalment building on the first book while leaving plenty of questions for what comes next in the series. As with this author’s other books, the world-building is one of the real strengths here. She has a knack for bringing her settings to life, using vivid descriptions that make it incredibly easy to picture each scene in your mind as you read. While Child of Ashes is a change from her more familiar vampire and fantasy genres, with the time-travel element giving the story something a little different, it still contains all the mystery, intrigue and compelling storytelling her readers have come to expect. It had me gripped from the very beginning and the overall pacing worked particularly well for me. There’s plenty going on as Narine searches for Samson with the situation with the Order becoming increasingly complicated, but the story doesn’t feel overloaded. As secrets begin to unravel, the foundations of a romance are also laid, although this is definitely a slow-burn storyline as Narine is aided in her search by Jacob, a fellow time traveller and professor, and I’m intrigued to see where their relationship ultimately leads. And then there’s Samson. I’m fascinated to discover what the future holds for him. Given the potential he has already shown, I can’t wait to see where his journey takes him. Whatever comes next, I have a feeling it’s going to be epic.

[Dita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this time travel fantasy series and I like this second book more than the first one. I got more of the complexities of the time traveling magic with all the rules and technologies, more magic too, there's elemental magic, diviner magic and lots of things, more politics, more actions. It has solid plot, the last few chapters were superb and that epilogue/cliffhanger is wow, it makes me want to read the next book asap. The romance is pretty sweet, not my fav but not bothering me too much, so it's kinda okay, I love when they're together and trying to protect and comfort each other. Also not a big fan of all the conveniences and the pace that felt sometimes kinda dragging sometimes kinda jumpy if you know what I mean, but still enjoy it nonetheless.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I have said I am not a fan of time travel, but I love some scifi type series that have it so maybe that idea has to go.  Child of Ashes is the second in the Seba Segal series.  I would read these books in order.  It is about nine years since the the first book The Thirteenth Month or at least Narine's son Sampson is nine.

The background is Narine got stuck in the past, got pregnant and almost got destroyed because the man wanted her to stay as a traditional wife.  There are many types of mages and he didn't understand that a traveler kept too long in a time not their own goes insane.  But Narine escaped him and gave birth in her own time.  She also has met a friend Jacob who has been wonderful with her and Samson.  Jacob doesn't know his history, as he was adopted by a human family, but he is also a travelor.

For the first time, Narine with her son and Jacob, go to America, on vacation to see her family and to meet Jacob's parents.  It's a good trip but on the way back Samson is kidnapped.  The rest of this story has the efforts to rescue Samson, which includes getting his father's help.  Narine's mother also seems to be working with some people from Samson's future. Travelers can only go back not to the future; that is the rule.  But the future people are traveling to the past.

It's exciting and dangerous with the politics and magic. I also appreciate the African culture and settings.  Narine and Jacob progress their relationship and will protect Samson.  He is very powerful but also nine, and now he is known to the world. They also learn Jacob's biological parentage.   I really can't wait for more next summer!

[Lisa Spofford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a gifted ARC of this novel via Valentine PR and am voluntarily leaving this review. CHILD OF ASHES is Book 2 in the SEBA SEGAL series by Elizabeth Hunter. Narine Anahid Khoren has spent nine years keeping her greatest secret, her son, a fourth-tier time traveler of unimaginable power, hidden from the order that would claim him as their own. She wanted to give him a childhood, but a violent abduction takes Samson into the past. Given the impossibility of finding a needle in a haystack, she is forced to release the dangerous man who can find him. At her side is Jacob Martin, professor, fellow time traveler, and so much more. This is a fade to black, third person, dual POV, near future time travel fantasy with tropes that include slow burn romance, found family, romantic suspense, historical fiction, family saga, urban fantasy, historical fiction, single mom, black cat heroine, golden retriever hero, he falls first, kidnapped, supernatural powers, one bed, multicultural romance, and rival secret societies. I have been waiting for this book for years and it was better than I could have imagined. In preparation for reviewing it, I reread THE THIRTEENTH MONTH, which I believe helped me a great deal. You may be able to read this without it, but so much of what happens in this book is a result of what happened in the first, making it the information pretty important. Set over fifty years into the future and over a hundred years in the past, the book had a little bit of everything and was a whole lot of amazing. The series is primarily focused on the history of a part of the world that doesn’t get enough attention, despite its’ rich cultures and history of oppression and colonization and I truly enjoyed every nugget that the author conveyed. From the author’s notes, I learned that this author actually splits her time between Ethiopia and California, and therefore has personal experience of the region as well as family and friends with more. Her appreciation for Ethiopia flies off the page, and I love that she chose to make the most important branch of a multi-millennial magical secret society be located in Africa, rather than somewhere in Europe. I was drawn into this novel form the first page and was sad to put it down at the end, so I hope any future novels in this series will not take as long to arrive. I could identify with Narine and Jacob’s palpable fear for Samson after he was kidnapped as well as understand the decisions that they made as the story progressed. I definitely recommend this novel for readers who enjoy time travel fantasy/romantic suspense.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own and read each Elizabeth Hunter's books as soon as I hear that another one is coming out. Am I biased? Yes. Is she a favorite author? Yes. Would I read an Ikea instruction manual she wrote? You better believe I would. They need someone to make them fun and interesting. So whether it's about romance, contemporary fantasy, paranormal mystery, or time travel, I'm there for it. Whether we have vampires, shape shifters, mages, or fairies, count me in. I love the way she handles speculative fiction. She makes it easy to jump in and understand, and that is especially true for her latest, Child of Ashes.

Time travel is complicated enough. In this second book in the Seba Segel series, someone kidnaps the most powerful child anyone has seen in generations and takes him into the past. The continuation of "The Thirteenth Month" finds Narine building her life around protecting her son Samson, whose abilities make him dangerously important to the secret societies that govern time travelers and other magical bloodlines. She has kept him hidden as long as possible, but when he is abducted and taken into the past, Narine is forced to expose secrets she has guarded for years and turn to people she never wanted involved. Beside her is Jacob, a fellow traveler. He is her rock, and his patience, loyalty, and place within Narine and Samson’s lives are just as important as the search itself.

I loved how quickly this pulled me back into the Seba Segel world. The time-travel system is intricate, with rules about where travelers can go, what events can be changed, and which moments seem fixed no matter what anyone tries. The idea that people can move backward through time but not forward makes the appearance of travelers from the future especially unsettling.

The emotional center, though, is Narine, Samson, and Jacob. Narine’s fear and grief feel immediate, and Jacob may be one of my favorite kinds of romantic heroes: patient, steady, protective without trying to take control, and always putting Samson and Narine ahead of what he wants for himself. Their romance is a true slow burn, and I loved that it grows alongside the larger story instead of interrupting it.

Samson also completely stole my heart. He is immensely powerful, but he is still a child, and that tension gives every decision surrounding him more weight.

The book is dense because it spans different periods, countries, histories, magical factions, and generations. I do think this works much better if you have read The Thirteenth Month recently because so much of this story grows directly out of that book.

But once I was back inside the world, I did not want to leave it. The mix of time travel, Ethiopian history and culture, family, secret societies, suspense, and slow-burn romance made this an even stronger installment for me.

And that ending? I need the next book.

Another 5 ⭐'s

[Maegs InWonderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a very detailed first book which sets the tone, builds the world and offers an action-packed introduction to all these characters, the Seba Segal series continues in Chilld of Ashes with more covert adventures that let us really start to dig into the core of everything - and everyone. As the layers of this story slowly get unwrapped, we get some pretty big reveals and a significant hints at what still might be on the horizon. I have loved seeing the relationship between Narine and Jacob grow. It’s definitely a slow burn, but I appreciate the acknowledgement that past trauma and current danger can cause trust to build slowly, and honestly it just has made it all the more satisfying to see all the pieces clicking into place. Narine is fiercely protective of those she loves and Jacob’s quiet and consistent strength compliments her passionate determination perfectly. Samson continues to be such a loveable character and we see A LOT of character growth. I was given an early copy of this book for free and I’m really happy to say that I think it’s even better than The Thirteenth Month (Book 1). I can’t wait to see where this is all leading and so would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves it when mystery, romance and some magic (time travelling, alchemy etc.) combine into a story that keeps you guessing and leaves room for more (while still tying up enough knots that you’re left pleasantly curious).

[Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. I thought I was going to have a difficult time getting back int o this world. It's been 3 years since the first book of the series - The Thirteenth Month --came out. Typically I may do a re-read but I decided to just jump into this one. I remembered big chunks of the story. I was pleasantly surprised by how the author quickly brought readers up to speed. It made me feel like I was right back in the world again.

Book one could be fine on it's own. It doesn't necessarily have a cliff hanger but there could have been more story. I am so happy that Narine had more to tell! I love her strength and her sense of right even if the Seba Segal wants to constrain her. Ultimately la mother's love is not to be messed with.

Her son Samson is the key in all of this. AND we hopefully get more of his story and the trilogy continues in the next book. Time travel is the overarching trope here. And there are soooo many clues dropped about what may come. And Gideon--I'm not fooled --he has to bee the nemesis in the end.

Fantastic read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

When The Thirteenth Month was released, I was absolutely in love with it and couldn’t wait to get my hands on book two in the series. Because I remembered how much I enjoyed it, I made the mistake of not doing a quick reread or reading a cliff notes of some sort before diving into Child of Ashes. This world of time travel is unlike any other book that you’ll pick up, so while it all eventually “came back” to me while reading, in the beginning I was a little confused while trying to remember how it worked and who some of the characters were. Once it all clicked again, I enjoyed every minute of being immersed in this world again. Narine is such a phenomenal main character, and Jacob is just so perfect for her. I’m still trying to figure out what Narine’s mom has up her sleeve, because you know it’s going to end up being something big. Can’t wait for book three to see what kind of trouble is coming up next!

[Timitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.5 Stars

Child of Ashes was brilliantly done. It took me a bit to get into it but that in no way took away from its brilliance. It was a masterclass in time travel, history and multiculturalism. I loved that all these elements overlapped yet blended seamlessly. This book was one of my highly anticipated books for years and I'm so happy that I can say wholeheartedly it was well worth the years of wait. It had me in the most delectable chokehold of passion, suspense, mystery, magic, intrigue, political machinations, action, adventure, twists and turns some that I saw coming and much more. I did not want to put it down it truly was amazing. I loved this compelling, interesting and interesting book and so can't wait for the conclusion of the story. I very highly recommend this series.



Copy provided by author

[Caroline Paquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good is an understatement

Yes, there has been a long gap between the first two books, but this one is so good that I can forgive the author for the delay between books one and two. (Confession: I can forgive her anything when it comes to her books. That’s how much I love them.)

Because this book has it all: love, action, magic, time travel, history, family, mysteries to solve, intrigue. The works. And to top it off, it leaves us with a hook that has me wanting to be a Seba Segel Traveler like Anahid and break the rules just to jump to fall 2027 and see how this amazing series end.

I said it: good is an understatement. Excellent is, too.

Elizabeth Hunter shows how much of a master of her art she is, and her extensive research makes me want to learn even more about all the different cultures involved in this series.

[TXBRITGAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could NOT put this down!!✨

I absolutely LOVED this book!! You *know* it's a gem when you sit down and read it all in one gluttonous sitting. Dive into this brilliant world of time travel- filled with secrets galore, found family, action, mages, a wee bit of slow build romance, and the love of a mother desperate to protect her child at all costs.

The FMC is beyond amazing- fierce, smart, talented, and will go beyond the ends of the earth and time for those she loves.

The world building is rich, layered and atmospheric, it pulls you in and doesn't let go. It's so filled with color it makes you feel like you can reach out and touch the scenes. I can't wait to see what happens next within this world and with these fascinating characters.

As a *major* fan of the genre, I was OVERJOYED to see a completely new twist on the time travel trope. Firstly, not taking place in Scotland for the big reveal or seat of power ;). However the ties and threads to everyone throughout the timelines/families and more, become more complex as the secrets are revealed. Like I said before...rich and layered with color. Ohhhhh so much color, and maybe a wee bit of sparkle along the way too. Prepare to be thoroughly swept away into a brilliantly immersive world you won't want to leave!!! Cross continents, time zones, countries, centuries, cultures, and soooooo much more. Get ready to play a very real game of "Who do we trust today?". LOVE is at the heart of it all however. Love for the most important human in ones life. Then maybe a few others by choice, and some...surprise!!! found family revelations. Suffice to say that *ALL* kinds of shenanigans went down within these pages. You DON'T wish to miss out. RUN! DON'T WALK, and go read this gem of a read right away!

[Katelyn Glembot · Rating 5 out of 5]

The long awaited sequel to Thirteenth Month has arrived and it delivers on all the character development, timeline advancement (and regression, hello time travel!), richly steeped cultural references as well as continued growth in the Seba Segal story arch that readers/fans could hope for.

There is a wealth of, if not resolutions, then clarity on the loose ends from the first book as EH ties them into a tapestry of time. The timeline shifts are well indicated, so while some attention is needed to keep up, there is minimal need to retrace your steps (but reread Thirteenth Month first!).

This is definitely not a standalone, but a strong second installation to lead us into the third some time in the future.

[Sapphyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of Ashes is the second book in the Seba Segal series. We are back in Narine’s world. She’s protected her son from discovery by hiding him from the secret order. Unfortunately, her secret is revealed and her son is forced somewhere in the past and into danger. More twists and turns fill the pages as Narine makes impossible choices in the quest to save her child.

Everything about Child of Ashes is spectacular. The novel is interesting and will draw the reader in from the beginning. The writing is fluid and cohesive, never becoming wordy or confusing. The pacing of the story is excellent and isn't too fast, slow, or boring.

I was on the edge of my seat as Narine crossed centuries and worlds, uncovered secrets, and found love while she searched for her son.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this one! I had the pleasure of getting an early copy of Child of Ashes, book 2 of the Seba Segal trilogy. This is a continuation of book 1, and I highly suggest reading the series in order. The world-building and political intrigue are top-notch. The world is fantastical and futuristic, mixing components of advanced technology and global economic and climate shifts with mages, magic, and time travel. The dynamics between the characters are great. While we glimpse where Narine and Jacob are headed, I can't help but hope we get some more of Tade and Aida.

I'll be patiently waiting for the next one!

[Dee Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is totally unique in the way it portrays time travel. It is such an amazing gift to be able to travel to the past and with that comes such responsibility. Elizabeth Hunter has created such a world that encompasses all that. There are so many different elements, different magics and gifts and each is powerful in its own way.
I just thought I had fallen in love with this world in the first book but book 2 completely captivated me . There is so much depth and so much emotion that you can literally feel it. You get so caught up in the story, it’s as if you’re actually there. I was nowhere near ready to finish this book and I cannot wait for the next.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... This was definitely worth the wait, Epic second instalment.

After reading Thirteenth Month (the first book in this intriguing series) I could not wait to read the next one.
I was lucky enough to receive a ARC for this book, and I read it over 2 days because I could not put it down.
People and places are written in such beautiful detail by Elizabeth Hunter, that you feel like you are really there with them.
If you are at all interested in travel to far off exotic places, the complexity of Time travel, all rooted in the trials and dramas of real life.. This book is Definitely for you.
I throughly enjoyed every page. Enjoy 😊

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth never fails to build an incredible fictional world. I was worried I’d be lost since I didn't reread The Thirteenth Month, but Child of Ashes seamlessly pulled me right back into the story. The time-travel magic system is one of the most intricate and unique I've ever encountered, especially with how it addresses the heavy responsibilities of its magic users. As always, Elizabeth proves she is the queen of the slow burn—the deep, steady connection between Narine and Jacob is scrumptious and has me fully invested. I can't wait to see what happens next for them, but I'm especially excited for Samson's journey. He’s going to be an absolute powerhouse!

[Kathryn Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just incredible. Elizabeth Hunter creates beautiful worlds with such depth that I can practically smell and taste them, let alone visualise them. Book 2 of the Seba Segal series is no different. I cried in public at about a third of the way through the book, the emotion - so subtly drawn but painfully acute - is just beautiful.
I devoured this book and am so looking forward to book 3 next year.
Beautiful. Read this series - you won’t regret it!
Also, loved the Doctor Who reference, very appropriate in a time travel saga :)

[Lin Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book in this fantastic series I wasn’t sure where this one would go.
I’ll admit the it took me a while to settle into the time travel initially but this time it all came back to me really easily.
Once again it was a slower build but once I got into the storyline I was hooked right to the last page.
This series has been a bit of a curve ball as I needed to really get into it compared to the other books this wonderful writer has published but Child of Ashes really expanded the storyline for me.
It was an exquisite piece of time travel writing

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destined to be a classic

I was so excited about Child of Ashes that I interrupted reading a book about a military, dragon-riding academy to read it. It was an excellent choice.
This series is stunning. Ms. Hunter has built worlds in the future and past which are nuanced and lushly detailed. Her characters are fierce, flawed and unique. If you enjoy deft foreshadowing, you'll love this story. This story engulfed me so much that I could barely put it down. I've been reading F&SF for over 50 years. I would stand the Seba Segel series among the classics.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

This was a lot. But, I think I enjoyed it. I love the characters and their developing relationships. I also enjoyed the exploration of a variety of concepts like slavery, adoption, elitism, the rapid growth of technology, and the feelings of inadequacy as a mother who is just trying to do her best, just to name a few. But, I also found it difficult to keep track of all the names and timelines. And some moments that were meant to be emotional just didn’t hit the right spot. Overall, I’m still keen to see where and when this story will progress to.

[kellie lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex and Riveting!

The cultural components whisk you to another world and of course the time travel is just another dimension to the layers of intrigue in this book. Great characters - don’t we all want a man like Jacob! I was not expecting the book to end when it did! I wasn’t ready to be finished! This book is complex. Culturally fascinating. You feel you are there in the story. I think this is a series you can read a few times and probably pick up new things every time! Now if I could just travel to the future and start reading the next book….

[Jessica Prow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and sweeping story exploring so many different themes, but what stuck with me was the different forms of love displayed. Love between blood, love of a mate, love of a memory of a person and a mothers love.

The time travel and various times were described so well that I felt like I was right there, in that place, at that moment.

Simply wonderful.

I do suggest rereading The Thirteenth Month beforehand, if only for a refresher. Not necessary though.

[Linda Peart · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Elizabeth Hunter’s writing is next level amazing. This storyline of this second book of the Seba Segal series is even better than the first book, and I can’t wait for book three to come out next year. Ms Hunter creates such vivid characters and universes. I would buy her books sight unseen because I know they will always be amazing.